For most of us the primary reasons for pursuing an alternative to the gas fueled 4 wheeled automobile for getting us from point A to point B is:
fuel efficiency, so saving $$$
save on energy
reduce pollution
enjoy the ride more
good exercise
though not necessarily in that order! There are other reasons to use Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs) such as electric bikes (eBikes) and electric scooters (eScooters). One of the best: eBikes and eScooters can be just plain fun to ride! Unlike all the other alternatives, only eBikes offer you the opportunity to go significant distances and pedal to gain some health benefits while doing that point A to point B thing.
What follows is a summary of many of the experiences we have had with PEVs, perhaps a bit heavy on the technical issues and experiences. Over time, we'll work to liven it up and minimize or clearly mark where the technical person, that would be Mark, recounts trials and tribulations going from "traditional" to more efficient, yet practical, personal transportation. The importance of doing so became far more visible as we deal with the oldest "kid" wanting her own car! We're trying to extoll the benefits of PEVs over traditional automobiles for transportation, so it's time to put our money where our mouth is!
After researching many alternatives we had a local eBike shop, Cycle9 in Carrboro, we look a good look at the Currie Technologies eFolder and Mountain eBikes that we had purchased in 2001. These bikes are in excellent physical condition, but the motor control had a habit of not stopping and neither the old motor nor controls are currently supported by Currie Technologies. This was a dangerous situation so we didn't ride the eBikes for a few years!
Currie bikes are more popular now than back in 2001, but Currie switched to a new control and motor technology in 2005 which is not compatible with, and not as well made as, the 2001 generation Currie Technology eBikes. The eFolder had been sitting almost 3 years, the battery packs wouldn't take a charge and there are no Currie bikes of similar vintage that bike shop owners know of in the area for reference. Got some great advice and links to resources included below from the people at Cycle9 in Carrboro. So we brought the eFolder back to the garage and began searching for parts to get this bike and the Currie Technologies Mountain eBike running. While we were at it we researched a few other LEV options which are summarized below.
http://www.electric-bikes.com/bikes/electrec.html/ Rayos/Electrec bikes use the same left hand motor drive that the pre-2004 Currie Cycles used, before the new generation cost reduced, and lower quality Currie drives were introduced.
Tenergy 19-24V charger, Amazon (not yet, probably should find a higher current charger...). Not needed for Nilar, see the Advanced Colorado Batteries web site which suggests using SLA chargers which include a float mode. [Note: in mid-2010, Advanced Colorado Batteries ceased operations and moved to Europe. The NiMH patents held by the Big 3 consortium were an issue, though apparently not the only issue.
Scott at EVdeals responded, will work with him to find correct parts for 2001 "vintage" USPD bikes. Note the Lashout and Rayos bikes use the old style motor mount and motors.
Offering the IZip kit, not usable on old Currie USPD bikes due to non-standard frame. Could be used on other 26" bike. $279 ppaid ($399 from Currie).
Note Li-Ion kits, where avail (IZIP-KIT5) are ~$800!
Only has PAS mode, no equiv to TAG. However, runs very nicely, ok on hills more subtle than Currie. Noisier than some hub motors comparable to Currie USPD. Sound when motor kicks in is a bit eery!
Step above Currie, very popular hub motor series. Good reviews, Nine Continent is competitor with some higher features in low end motor. Approx $350 for low-end.
Can't find any review anywhere, just eBay and online retailer. Available in 24V and 36V, no BBB filing, shipping weight for hub and controller alone 30lb!
Includes Crystalite hub motors and equiv to Currie ext chain drive
Texas group that includes sales and parts for hub motors (Crystalyte), and had sold chain drive systems too. Many parts, including Li batteries to build packs.
There are many 3 wheel and 4 wheel "commuter vehicles" that are electric or small gas engine powered, capable of over 20mi range before recharge or refill, able to maintain 35mph and peak to 45mph and suited to the milder parts of winter here in Central NC. Many are available at the Coast, especially in Florida and other Gulf states where retirement communities often have small fleets of Neighborhood Vehicles. These are not the Harley conversion "Trikes" or the Can-Am "Trike" which use large motorcycle engines and are built for either speed or showmanship. Here are some references:
This Texas inventor has an unmatched set of "trailers" for motorcycles, and an awesome custom "kit" design for a 3 wheeler.
RTM Tango
150cc
Tangotrikes.com
Spots on Florida CBS show: here are some reviews, though not with reference names or a "forum" for owners.
150cc 4stroke, water cooled.
Not sure this is US manufacturer rep or distributor only. Also avail 50cc 2cycle, sigh. Importer notes that vehicles are no longer in production (2010-04-04).
Note the TRM Tango review states that the RTM is made in Uruguay by a commercial vehicle manufacturer. But importer states they are no longer in production.
Though many complaints have been resolved, many still open, beware! The product is attractively priced, but one steered wheel has been shown less stable than two in the front!
Saw some references in 3 wheel web sites to this as a very early implementation of a folding 3 wheel vehicle. Sure must have been a bear to unfold each time!
Since the US domain name is "for sale", the company may have retrenched a good bit!
Some reviews note it is harder than depicted in ad videos.
Some photos: RTM Tango, no longer in production
3 Wheel Hybrid eBikes
In Europe, the 3 wheel "hybrid" tricycle with optional electric motor is far more popular than in the US. Most fall into the "velomobile" category which where licensed are done as motorcycles. Here are some examples:
Vehicle
Manufacturer/
US Rep
Reference
Notes
Twike
Twike.com
Many many references
A 1980s design that won many awards! Nice, if you've got $35k available!
There are more Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) available now than when we first got into electric bikes in 2001. For many of the trips we take around Chapel Hill this type of car would be ideal, akin to a "Smart Car" but electric.
One became available in High Point on Craig's list in April2010, a Zenn 2007 model car, see:
Though the car is interesting, it has several really serious drawbacks, including the lack of support from the Canadian company who ceases production end of April 2010.
Trailers for holding LEVs
Now that we've got our LEVs, how to transport them for vacations and such? The folding eBike and folding bikes are the easiest, all 3 can fit in the station wagon and use a shell on top to relocate displaced sleeping bags, tents, and other gear. But I'd really rather be able to take all the eBikes along without hitching them to the back of the car which has resulted in too many bent cables and dinged up parts.
very nice, but more expensive than what would be hauled within it!
Local Groups
There are local organizations promoting EVs in general:
Triangle Electric Auto Assn (TEAA)- much more traditional EV enthusiasts, many meeting minutes include assisting other members in building, repairing, or upgrading EVs
note photo of BugE in brochure! Scott from Raleigh area believes he built and sold that one to guy in Burlington. Also willing to sell us his current BugE!
Table of Contents
though not necessarily in that order! There are other reasons to use Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs) such as electric bikes (eBikes) and electric scooters (eScooters). One of the best: eBikes and eScooters can be just plain fun to ride! Unlike all the other alternatives, only eBikes offer you the opportunity to go significant distances and pedal to gain some health benefits while doing that point A to point B thing.
What follows is a summary of many of the experiences we have had with PEVs, perhaps a bit heavy on the technical issues and experiences. Over time, we'll work to liven it up and minimize or clearly mark where the technical person, that would be Mark, recounts trials and tribulations going from "traditional" to more efficient, yet practical, personal transportation. The importance of doing so became far more visible as we deal with the oldest "kid" wanting her own car! We're trying to extoll the benefits of PEVs over traditional automobiles for transportation, so it's time to put our money where our mouth is!
This page needs rearranging, please use the index at top right to skip to areas that may be of interest. We've put the history of this near obsession on a separate page for those REALLY interested in the background.
eBikes
After researching many alternatives we had a local eBike shop, Cycle9 in Carrboro, we look a good look at the Currie Technologies eFolder and Mountain eBikes that we had purchased in 2001. These bikes are in excellent physical condition, but the motor control had a habit of not stopping and neither the old motor nor controls are currently supported by Currie Technologies. This was a dangerous situation so we didn't ride the eBikes for a few years!Currie bikes are more popular now than back in 2001, but Currie switched to a new control and motor technology in 2005 which is not compatible with, and not as well made as, the 2001 generation Currie Technology eBikes. The eFolder had been sitting almost 3 years, the battery packs wouldn't take a charge and there are no Currie bikes of similar vintage that bike shop owners know of in the area for reference. Got some great advice and links to resources included below from the people at Cycle9 in Carrboro. So we brought the eFolder back to the garage and began searching for parts to get this bike and the Currie Technologies Mountain eBike running. While we were at it we researched a few other LEV options which are summarized below.
The current list of eBikes in our stable may be found here on the WS family eBike summary page as we resumed much more active use of bikes since 2008.
Links relevant to eBike owners such as the WS family:
Alternative eBike power sources & charging:
Research on eBikes
(moved detailed planning on WS family eBikes to Google Docs spreadsheet)Note Li-Ion kits, where avail (IZIP-KIT5) are ~$800!
EcoSpeed battery specsEcoSpeed battery specs
Electric Vehicles NW
NiMH 3 channel charger
Shimano 4-speed hub maintenance sheet
3 and 4 Wheeled Commuter Vehicles
There are many 3 wheel and 4 wheel "commuter vehicles" that are electric or small gas engine powered, capable of over 20mi range before recharge or refill, able to maintain 35mph and peak to 45mph and suited to the milder parts of winter here in Central NC. Many are available at the Coast, especially in Florida and other Gulf states where retirement communities often have small fleets of Neighborhood Vehicles. These are not the Harley conversion "Trikes" or the Can-Am "Trike" which use large motorcycle engines and are built for either speed or showmanship. Here are some references:review in Wired.com
review of hybrid concept 3wheel bike
150cc
Not sure this is US manufacturer rep or distributor only. Also avail 50cc 2cycle, sigh. Importer notes that vehicles are no longer in production (2010-04-04).
Fuller's Dymaxion and some current 3 wheeled vehicles
US Web Site and dealer locator
Machine Design review and comments
Some photos: RTM Tango, no longer in production
3 Wheel Hybrid eBikes
In Europe, the 3 wheel "hybrid" tricycle with optional electric motor is far more popular than in the US. Most fall into the "velomobile" category which where licensed are done as motorcycles. Here are some examples:US Rep
Bluevelo.com
dating back to the 1980s
Small LEVs
There are more Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) available now than when we first got into electric bikes in 2001. For many of the trips we take around Chapel Hill this type of car would be ideal, akin to a "Smart Car" but electric.
One became available in High Point on Craig's list in April2010, a Zenn 2007 model car, see:
Though the car is interesting, it has several really serious drawbacks, including the lack of support from the Canadian company who ceases production end of April 2010.
Trailers for holding LEVs
Now that we've got our LEVs, how to transport them for vacations and such? The folding eBike and folding bikes are the easiest, all 3 can fit in the station wagon and use a shell on top to relocate displaced sleeping bags, tents, and other gear. But I'd really rather be able to take all the eBikes along without hitching them to the back of the car which has resulted in too many bent cables and dinged up parts.
Here are some options, again with reviews:
Name
Local Groups
There are local organizations promoting EVs in general:
References